Barbs traded in vendetta against governor

HARTFORD  Lawyers for individuals fighting subpoenas from Connecticuts impeachment probe accused the General Assembly Friday of conducting a vendetta against Gov. John G. Rowland, a charge top lawmakers angrily rejected.

Gregory B. Hladky

Published
12:00 am EST, Saturday, March 13, 2004

"I suggest they get out of the arena of high theater and stick to the facts," said state House Speaker Moira K. Lyons, D-Stamford, who appointed the bipartisan, 10-member impeachment inquiry panel. "I believe the committee has the faith and confidence of the people."

Lyons said the new attacks on the impeachment panels integrity "go far beyond" earlier suggestions from Rowlands lawyers that one of the committees most vocal members, State Rep. Michael P. Lawlor, D-East Haven, disqualify himself.

Hubert Santos, a lawyer for former state Homeland Security Director Vincent J. DeRosa, told a state judge Friday that the legislative inquiry appears to be engaged in "a rush to judgment." Santos was arguing for more time to respond to the committees subpoenas for records concerning possible gifts or favors to Rowland.

"We have something akin to the Joseph McCarthy hearings of the 1950s," said Santos. "They are after the governor."

But Deputy House Leader Richard O. Belden, R-Shelton, disagreed. "This is not a McCarthy-type hearing," Belden insisted. "This is our constitutional process and this is what is going to happen whether certain people like it or not.

"I have faith the committee will do the best it can," Belden said, adding that he hopes committee members will do a lot less talking to the media. "Theres been too much talk by pretty much all the members of the committee."

State House Minority Leader Robert M. Ward, R-North Branford, said Friday, "Theres no need for Mike Lawlor or any other legislator to step down.

"The attorneys for the governor have mistaken this legislative inquiry and impeachment process for a criminal trial, and they are two very different matters," Ward said. "The governor has chosen not to answer questions publicly (about gifts and other issues) so we have no choice but to force the answer though a legislative inquiry."

The state Superior Court hearing concerned attempts to quash many of the legislative committees subpoenas and the committees efforts to get a quick resolution of the issue. The judge set March 26 as the new date for arguments on the issue.

Many of the individuals seeking to block the panels subpoena, including Rowlands friend and former driver, DeRosa, have invoked their constitutional rights against self-incrimination.

Hugh F. Keefe of New Haven, a lawyer for former Rowland chief of staff, Peter N. Ellef, objected to comments from members of the committee that individuals who have invoked their constitutional rights against self-incrimination "are stonewalling."

Rowland has admitted taking thousands of dollars in gifts from state contractors, political appointees and friends but denies he ever used his office or influence to repay them in any way. Rowland and many of the people subpoenaed by the legislative committee are also under investigation by a federal grand jury conducting a criminal probe of alleged contract corruption.

The governor, after initially attempting to avoid an impeachment inquiry, later welcomed the bipartisan approach and promised his full cooperation. His office has supplied the committee with tens of thousands of documents and Rowland hasnt sought to invoke his right against self-incrimination.

But Rowland last week began criticizing the committees failure to adopt specific standards of impeachment, the very broad nature of its investigation and high cost of its special legal counsel.

Earlier this week, Rowlands lawyers suggested that one of the panels most outspoken members, Lawlor, disqualify himself because of apparent bias. Lawlor immediately rejected the proposal.

Lyons, state House Majority Leader James A. Amann, D-Milford, and the committees Democratic co-chairman, state Rep. John Wayne Fox of Stamford, rushed to Lawlors defense.

Amann said he believes attacks on the panels integrity are an indication of the desperation of the governors friends.

The Associated Press contributed to this story. Gregory B. Hladky can be contacted at ghladky@nhregister.com or at (860) 524-0719.